High School

THE PLAINS –– In addition to the state championship won by Galax’s boys, the Maroon Tide girls as well as runners from Carroll County and Grayson County posted strong finishes in their respective state meets at the Great Meadows cross country course Friday and Saturday.

THE PLAINS –– Clif Conley transferred to Galax High School in the summer of 2013, and though he had been a football player at Floyd County, he arrived too late to participate for the Maroon Tide. It’s safe to say he hasn’t made a habit of being tardy.

GATE CITY –– Last week, Marion handed Grayson County just its second loss of the season. Although the Scarlet Hurricanes were hosting Union 70 miles up I-81 on Tuesday, they more or less dealt the Blue Devils their third loss, too.

By virtue of its win over Grayson in the Conference 39 title match, Marion avoided a first-round meeting with powerhouse Gate City in the Region 2A West tournament. That task fell to the Blue Devils, who suffered a similar fate as 56 of Gate City’s previous 58 opponents.

Thirty years ago this week, Galax’s most dominant regular season ever concluded with a 69-0 win over Auburn. The Maroon Tide started the year with five straight shutouts, allowed only 30 points in 10 games and finished 9-1, suffering only a 16-14 loss to Floyd County…and packed it up for the year.

Chilhowie had proven to itself that it could be done, overcoming a two-set deficit to a higher-seeded team on the big stage of a postseason tournament. Galax proved that even though it was a 2-seed, you’re still the champ until someone demonstrates otherwise.

STUART –– Patrick County broke open a close game in the third period last Friday night to hand the Carroll County Cavaliers a 27-14 setback in a nondistrict game at John D. Hooker Field.

The Cavaliers trailed 20-14 late in the third period when Cougar runningback Zach Tickle found an opening in the Carroll defense and raced 44 yards for the touchdown. Miguel Rodriguez’s PAT kick was good and with 35 seconds left in the period, the Cougars padded their lead and held on for the victory.